Restoration of “Hermanos Laulhé” Ambulatory Center (1954)*
- Inscribed in the International Do.Co.Mo.Mo Registry
During the last decades the Architectural Heritage of the Modern Movement seemed to be at risk more than ever. In fact, by the end of the 1980s, many masterpieces were demolished or suffered such radical changes to become unrecognizable. This was determined, by the widespread unawareness of the value of such Heritage and, on the other side, by the inability to integrate technological innovations when the building original functions have substantially changed. Hence, our main goals are both to refurbish the building according to its primary features and character and to recover its original functions in the context of the wide spectrum of contemporary technological resources.
The old ambulatory “Hermanos Laulhé” in San Fernando (Spain), now Dr.Cayetano Roldan Moreno Care Health Center, is one of the best examples of
the Modern Movement architecture in Andalusia. Along with other examples in Avilés, Santander and Salamanca´s Hospital, its author, the architect Fernando Cavestany and Pardo Valcárcel, would set a new horizon of Spanish health architecture from the 40´s and 70´s in Spain.
The work of restoration and refurbishment of the building is the result of a public contest sponsored by the Andalusian Health Service in 2004. Recently opened,the Health care center tries to show a sensitive vision on the intervention in
contemporary heritage.
The building is volumetrically presented as a clever association of two orthogonal bodies three storey’s high, closed on its longest side by a recessed body. Furthermore, is important to enhance the use of ceramics in the parapets of the
grid and the integration of sculptures groups on the façade that connect it to modern decorative tradition, also present in the interior, through a careful design of spaces and furnishings.
Both accesses were unifed into one and the ground level is gently depressed, achieving a proper sun light for work spaces on the basement floor as well as the green area of the facade. This entry is used for the users of the ambulatory, staff and patients, as well as for emergency vehicles. All these elements are defined and delimited by a bench that offers patients an guests a pleasant area to stay outside the building.
The interior communications were practically intact, moving the elevator for functional reasons located in the corner of the building. In the same area, appears a new stairway that easily connects the affected areas and the restoration of the
original skylight, giving that space an important role in the building.
The entire surface of the basement floor houses the new program of the health
center illuminated by the skylight and the recovery of the original finish level of the
floor.
